- Postcode district
- SG5
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement doors
- Typical lead time
- Typically 2–4 weeks from survey sign-off
- Guide price
- From £1,695 inc VAT
- Nearby
- Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage, Luton
- Building rules
- England
Are uPVC sliding patio doors right for your Hitchin home?
Before you settle on a door type, it helps to know what uPVC sliding patio doors do well and what to check before you order.
The rules for a replacement door in Hitchin are checked at survey, and your written quote says which approval route applies to your home.
Replacing a tired patio door in Hitchin? A uPVC slider usually fits the existing opening, so the job is a straight swap rather than building work.
- As the least expensive sliding door material, uPVC lets you replace a draughty older patio door with modern double glazing on a modest budget.
- Woodgrain and colour foils, including anthracite grey and black, let a uPVC door match existing windows instead of appearing as a white frame on a coloured elevation.
- Shoot-bolt or hook locking on the sliding panel, plus anti-lift devices, help stop the panel being lifted or levered out of the frame from outside.
Daylight in Hitchin and what it means for your glass
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Hitchin, midday sun reaches about 61° in summer and drops to about 15° in winter. That low winter sun is free heat through south-facing glass; high summer sun is easier to shade with a roof overhang, and solar-control glass helps where there is none.
What should you budget for uPVC sliding patio doors in Hitchin?
Guide prices are the same across Hertfordshire: the fitted price depends on the size, system and specification, not your postcode. These figures are for a standard 2.1 m high door, fitted, including VAT and removal of an old door of similar size.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 2 panels | £1,695–£2,095 |
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £1,995–£2,495 |
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £2,195–£2,695 |
See every size on the uPVC sliding patio doors page or try the guide price tool.
What happens when you order uPVC sliding patio doors in Hitchin?
Here is the usual sequence in Hitchin: guide price, free survey, written quote, then manufacture (typically 2–4 weeks from survey sign-off). Fitting typically takes 1 day for a straight swap in an existing opening. Nearby, we also survey in Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage and Luton.
Rules for uPVC sliding patio doors in England
English Building Regulations treat a new or replacement external door in an existing home as a controlled fitting: it needs a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better (or Doorset Energy Rating band C) if more than 60% of it is glazed (Approved Document L), and safety glass in a critical location (Approved Document K). Compliance is arranged through a competent person scheme installer or a Building Control notification, so you get a certificate for your records.
Specification choices for uPVC sliding patio doors in Hitchin
- Foiled colours. Anthracite grey, black, cream or woodgrain foils on one or both faces, for an extra charge.
- Trims and cills. A matching uPVC cill, add-on trims and internal finishing so the new door sits neatly against existing plaster and brick.
- Handles. Lever or pull handles in white, black, chrome or gold-effect finishes, with a key lock on the outside.
Questions about uPVC sliding patio doors in Hitchin
How soon can you survey in Hitchin?
Surveys in the SG5 district are booked at a time that suits you, and we offer survey dates when we reply to your enquiry. After you approve the written quote, manufacture is typically 2–4 weeks from survey sign-off.
Should I choose uPVC or aluminium for a sliding door?
Choose uPVC if budget and a quick, simple replacement matter most, and aluminium if you want slimmer frames, bigger panels or a powder-coated colour. uPVC insulates well and costs less, but its frames are wider and its panels smaller. Aluminium suits openings over about 3.6 m and modern extensions. Our aluminium vs uPVC guide sets out the differences.
How quickly can a uPVC patio door be fitted?
A uPVC sliding patio door is typically made in 2–4 weeks after you sign off the surveyed specification, the shortest lead time of the sliding door materials. A straight swap in the same opening typically takes 1 day, including removing the old door, fitting, sealing and making good inside. Times are typical rather than promised, and foiled colours can add a little time.
Are uPVC sliding doors secure?
uPVC sliding doors are secure when the sliding panel has multi-point locking, anti-lift protection and steel reinforcement in the frame. Systems are available tested to PAS 24, the UK enhanced security standard for doorsets. Laminated glass adds resistance to breaking through, and a key-locking handle stops the door being opened from inside if a pane is broken.